Chapter 64: We're All Little Monsters
*Senju Clan's Training Ground*
"Rasengan!"
With a shout, a brilliant blue Rasengan smashed into a wooden post, breaking it cleanly in half.
"I did it!"
Breathing heavily, Kushina Uzumaki smiled as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. As she looked at this jutsu, she couldn't help but think of that figure—the one who shielded her from countless cries of "monster," emitting a dark and powerful chakra.
"A monster…like me?"
Murmuring to herself, Kushina quickly shook her head, trying to dispel these thoughts. "I shouldn't be thinking about this all the time. Mikoto is my friend. How could I think like this!"
But then she remembered Grandma Mito's comforting words and Mikoto's encouragement.
"But Grandma Mito said that if I just sit and wait, I'll never get what I want. I need to act! And Mikoto even said I'm a talented kunoichi."
"No, no! Yosuke and I are just comrades. That's it! I can't start thinking about him like that!"
Just as Kushina was trying to shake off her flustered thoughts, Mikoto Uchiha emerged from the distant bushes.
"Kushina, you did it!"
Jumping down from a tree branch, Mikoto noticed the signs of Kushina's recent training on the field, her eyes widening in surprise and then shining with admiration.
"Kushina, you truly are a genius."
Kushina's face turned beet red, almost as if she'd been caught doing something wrong, but hearing Mikoto's praise, she instinctively tried to change the subject.
"No way!"
Kushina, trying to hide her embarrassment, mumbled softly, "It's just because I have a lot of chakra, so I can train this jutsu longer each day. That's all."
Mikoto jumped down, laughing. "Having lots of chakra is your strength, just like my Sharingan is mine. You really are a genius, Kushina."
Mikoto always had the demeanor of a gentle older sister, and her warm smile always put Kushina at ease. But this time, for some reason, Kushina felt flustered, like she was hiding something wrong from Mikoto.
Noticing her discomfort, Mikoto chuckled. "Kushina, what's wrong? Your cheeks are all red. So cute."
Mikoto reached up to push a sweaty strand of Kushina's hair behind her ear in a practiced motion.
"It's…it's nothing."
Kushina stammered, suddenly realizing she hadn't done anything wrong. Thinking to herself isn't a crime, right?
With that thought, she straightened up, flashed her fangs in a stubborn pout, and grumbled, "Mikoto, I've been waiting here for ages! Why are you so late?"
Mikoto gave an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Kushina. The front lines have been busy, and there's a lot going on within the clan as well. I didn't mean to be late."
"War, huh…"
At the mention of war, Kushina's expression turned gloomy, and she sighed. "Tsunade's also preparing to head to the front lines, and she's been so busy. The Senju Clan feels so deserted now."
Seeing Kushina's low spirits, Mikoto sighed gently. "Kushina, the battlefield isn't suitable for you right now. You have a more important task to focus on."
Hearing that, Kushina gave a bitter smile. "A more important task? You mean…becoming a monster?"
A monster—that's exactly what she felt like, tasked with constantly adapting to the chakra of the Nine Tails.
Mikoto, hearing the word "monster," chuckled and teased, "Kushina, let me tell you a little secret."
Kushina's curiosity was piqued as Mikoto leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Mikoto slowly moved her collar aside.
"Mikoto! W-what are you doing?"
Seeing the bare skin of Mikoto's shoulder, Kushina's face went bright red as she hurriedly looked away, flustered.
Mikoto laughed and tapped her on the head. "Kushina, what's going on in that little head of yours?"
"N-nothing, Mikoto!"
As Kushina stammered, Mikoto raised her shoulder slightly to reveal a dark three-tomoe mark.
"A…a curse mark!"
With her Uzumaki expertise in sealing, Kushina immediately recognized the symbol. It wasn't a tattoo but a curse mark—a type of sealing jutsu.
"Shhh."
Seeing Kushina's shocked expression, Mikoto put a finger to her lips. Kushina was understandably worried.
"Mikoto, why do you have a curse mark?"
Curse marks were usually used to control people or seal powerful forces, which made them quite dangerous.
But Mikoto just laughed. "Kushina, this is our secret. Though Tsunade-sama is aware of it."
Mikoto covered the mark and, in a gentle tone, explained the curse mark's origins.
Hearing the explanation, Kushina's eyes widened. "Mikoto, you're saying Tsunade and Orochimaru researched Yosuke's second kekkei genkai and developed this curse mark?"
Mikoto nodded, laughing. "And Orochimaru-sama, too."
Kushina was stunned. So, with this mark, Mikoto could transform into that powerful form? They were…alike?
Sensing Kushina's surprise, Mikoto's eyes gleamed. "Looks like you and I are both little monsters now."
At that, Mikoto winced, clearly experiencing some discomfort, and black markings slowly spread over half her face as Kushina watched in awe.
Mikoto, suppressing the pain, smiled. "I'm still getting used to this state. Pushing further would be risky."
Even though the curse mark's power was dangerous, Mikoto looked proud, saying, "The curse mark's energy is hard to handle, but I adapted to Yosuke's power quickly. In just half a month, I overcame the rejection period and successfully received the mark."
At that moment, Mikoto's pride and happiness in possessing Yosuke's power were unmistakable, and Kushina felt a pang of envy.
They were the same.